Matthew McConaughey won an Oscar. And, boy, are Christians happy about it. I mean, Christians are jumping up and down for this Texas boy for his big win because he actually thanked God in his acceptance speech. He did, he gave God credit and he thanked his wife like he should and he gave a rambling speech that really made me wonder why they weren’t starting up the music to cut him off. They let Matthew talk for almost four minutes, and the clip of his speech is all over the internet.
Christians are so proud.
And, I can’t blame us. I mean, how often do we hear a major celebrity, an Oscar winner, no less, identifying with us? How often do we get that kind of star power in our corner? It almost makes us seem sort of cool and legitimate.
I liked his speech, although I thought it was a little heavy on the Matthew McConaughey. He’s chasing a hero, who is himself in ten years? Really? But, no matter. He mentioned God and that’s all that counts. It obviously shows that he loves the Lord and lives his life for Him and we will all be fans of his forever because of this speech.
But, there’s one tiny issue with setting Matthew McConaughey up as our next great Christian idol. And, the problem is the movie he won the Oscar for. And pretty much every other movie he’s ever made. (Anyone remember a little film called Magic Mike?) According to pluggedin.com, Dallas Buyer’s Club opens with McConaughey’s character having sex with two girls at the same time in a rodeo stall. That’s only the beginning of the explicit sexual content in the movie. In addition to the nudity, masturbation, and pornography, the film contains over 100 f-words and God’s name is used as a curse word over 20 times.
Matthew McConaughey made this movie, which he was rewarded by Hollywood for making, which goes out into our society and poisons the hearts and minds of our men, women, and young people. And then he gets up to accept his award for making filth that turns hearts away from God, and he thanks God for the opportunity, and Christians applaud him as if he has done something incredible.
We have got to get over our obsession with celebrity and start making connections between what people say and what they actually do. It is never going to be a good thing for Christianity for us to hold these celebrities up as examples of what a Christian should be. If we want to show the world examples of Christianity that should make us cheer, it’ll be our faithful pastors, our grandmothers who have lived quiet sacrificial lives, our friends who would lay down their lives for us, the teachers who go to school every day and live out the commands to love the unlovable and to value every life.
Not Matthew McConaughey. I’m sure he’s a fun guy to hang around with, and I bet he’s a great dad and probably a really good actor. But he is not the next great champion for Christianity.
And that’s probably why I’m not a member of the Academy. Thank you, and good night.
**Please check out the follow-up to this post here!
**Due to the fact that everything that can be said HAS been said–many, many times–comments are now disabled. Thanks for stopping by!
Wow, all this about an actor. I hope Matthew is not your hero, I applaud Matthew because he is a good man and has made some great movies. You do understand that Matthew is an actor and as an actor he plays many different roles this happened to be one of those roles. He did not ramble on in his speech what he said was someone asked him who his hero was and he said it was himself in 10 years. Every go to a job interview and they ask you what your 5 year or 10 year goal is? It’s an assignment that I give to my clients to write a 10 year letter to yourself about what you want it be in 10 years, when that 10 years is up then you write another. What he did was put God first, his family second, and himself third. How is that not Christian, yet we are talking about a movie that he made? Really…
I agree with Lori. It seems that the Christian Right can never be pleased. Nobody gets it just right enough for you.. You are sure he is not a good role model. He makes movies for adults. Did you ever see A Time to Kill? . Reread Lori’s last comment. What else do you want?
What an idiotic comment. Of course no one true follower of Christ could ever “be pleased” with someone who routinely participates in gratuitous filth.
Did you ever see Killer Joe? Whatever else he did can no more excuse the foul movies he’s been in, than a criminal can be “excused” for his crime if he helped a little old lady across the street 10 years ago.
You hypocritically endorse a standard that you would not in other contexts.
I guess you’re a big fan of the Killer Joe type stuff, and it bothers your conscience to see attention called out to McConaughey’s hypocrisy? Look in the mirror first before making ignorant, spiteful comments.
Being your own hero isn’t really a worthy goal, especially for a Christ follower, no? Would you hire someone who said his goal was to be his own hero?
There’s nothing wrong in and of itself with putting God first in his speech. The problem comes in when he hypocritically abandons his professed Christian values with the films he routinely acts in when he’s not giving his speech.
That seems to be the point of the post and you seemed to have totally missed it.
Love your name sir. You may not be aware of what is going on in Machen’s own beloved OPC now. The Orthodox Presbyterians house some of the worst moral degenerates in the visible church today. Those are MY people brother. The children of Westminster and Dort. Tears my heart out man. You’re absolutely right in what you say btw. People should read the Westminster Larger Catechism on the ten commandments for a glimpse of how far down the toilet from the historical biblical norm is this horrific libertine morality we’re seeing from these entertainment junkies here.
You are truly stupid, aren’t you?
is an actor not actually doing the things in the movie he portrays? and is he not making it seem like its ok to be like that and then fall back on GOD to get in good graces…….actor or not,its not right for a christian…..ask any devote born again beleiver and they will tell you that acting is probably not the best job to make millions unless you are willing to do things that go so far against your own beleifs
“is an actor not actually doing the things in the movie he portrays?” Are you serious? Um…no. I’m going to try to remain calm as I explain this in the most simple terms possible. Stay with me here…
Acting: the art or practice of representing a character on a stage or before cameras.
So you see, the job of an actor is to act. Acting is the trade, or craft, of an actor.
My thoughts EXACTLY “acting is probably not the best job to make millions unless you are willing to do things that go so far against your own beliefs.” I believe that is similar to many jobs; unfortunately money IS a necessary evil. For those of us who work in a “9 to 5” occupation, we are conflicted sometimes with our choices: what do our bosses and clients demand? versus what are our own personal beliefs? I know my beliefs, and the base of all of it is survival….so that I can live and make a difference; to survive and provide for my family, I have to work. I LOVE my family first and foremost. And I desire to do my best to provide for them and communicate my beliefs as much as I am able. I know there are decisions in my job that are made beyond my control, and I am contributing to them; should I be judged based on that? Would you be willing to be judged based on EVERY decision that was made in your job/life, even though it was not your personal choice? I believe our society is way too judgmental of others. “You will never understand a person until you walk a mile in their shoes.” Please don’t be so quick to judge others, no matter who they happen to be.
No, an actor/actress DOES NOT portray who they are off stage. And…, nobody plays the game of falling back in good graces with God!!! Hello?
Great write up!!! No he did not put God first. The Bible says that we will give an account for every thought every action and every deed. We will stand before Him and give an account. We are callled to be holy as Christ is holy, to be righteous as He is rightous, without it NOONE will see God! That is Gods words, not mine.
If we would not do it standing before Him on that day, then we ought not do it….anything that does not honor Him. I do not think that Matthew will be having sex in a rodeo stall before the King of Kings…no he will be bowed and confessing the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!!!
The Bible is clear, it is black and white, there are no grey areas!!!! No compromise and justifying the feeding of the fleshly desires and coveting of this worlds goods.
Amen Holly!! Give her a mic.
Matthew McConaughey’s latest film “Wolf of Wall Street” also sets new records for utterly unleashed debauchery and blasphemy. He’s made a career out of sin. This one JUST trimmed the NC-17 rating. There is absolutely nothing and I do mean NOTHING for the child of God to learn from Hollywood except how cunningly the devil uses visual media to seduce the alleged church of Jesus Christ to roll out a red carpet for his sickness and filth.
James 2:19: You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder.
McConaughey’ did no better than the demons in his celebration of sin when he gave his speech. I didn’t see it because I’m more interested in watching fungus grow than I am in anything that comes out of that Sodom and Gomorrah that IS Hollywood.
Especially not the oscars. Wadda spectacularly, pompous, pretentious exaltation of everything God hates. A literal worship service of the creature rather than the creator. http://tiribulus.net/pix/the-golden-idol.jpg
Jesus said that by their fruit you will know them. He was not forced to participate in the movies he has been it. He also was in Texas Chainsaw Massacre. While I enjoy his movies as an actor I would not consider him to be a brother in the Lord. A true Christian seeks to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. We read how many true Christians have left a life of being an actor or actress because of the messages and films they were involved with or chose roles that demonstrated a love for the things that Christ loved. As yourself.. If we are to be imitators of Christ as the bible says..would then we place Jesus on the set of any of these movies and await his approval? Of course not. This is a classic example of how our society has become lukewarm and where evil is called good and good will be called Evil. Read 2 Timothy 3 and then go listen to his speech again. ” Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof, lovers of self more than lovers of God, proud and boastful.
You are clearly an uneducated moron. The movie is about AIDS. Judging from your blog you seem as though real social issues have ever taken up much of your time or energy. The AIDS epidemic was horrible. Younger generations (myself included) have no idea how painful and detrimental AIDS was/ is and we need films, art etc. that put it out there in a raw and honest way. In order to make a lasting impression through film or any other medium it has to be honest. The movie was honest. The fact that you are claiming to be a Christian while spouting off ill informed, juvenile crap on an embarrassing blog is amazing to me… AMAZING. I understand you are trying to be funny but you really are making yourself and fellow Christians look stupid.
word!
God said that people that follow Jesus Christ would be talked about like this so I would say she is probably proud of what she said as she should be! and don’t forget……FREE SPEECH???? she is NOT a moron because you nor I know her…..maybe you are?? maybe I am???? she is just saying don’t put him on a pedastool because he mentioned GOD one time
Sara, aside from the fact that your rude, name-calling comment, indicated that you did not understand the point of the blog. Melissa was not being critical of the movie other than the fact that it contained depictions of vulgar behavior that Christian people have no business making or viewing. The primary thrust of her post, or, the main idea, was directed at Christians who are putting McConaughey on a Christian pedestal because he gave a nice speech and mentioned God. Your comment also shows a limited perspective regarding the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980’s. AIDS was really never an actual epidemic in the United States in the general sense of the word. During the height of the hysteria in the 80’s and 90’s, less than 15,000 people per year were dying of AIDS, when compared to deaths caused by heart disease or cancer, these figures are paltry. The disease was elevated to epidemic status because it was killing you gay men and young black men at such an alarming rate that it was, at least for a few years, the #1 cause of death among young people. This is what made the disease so unusual. No doubt it was horrible for those suffering from the disease, but keep it in perspective. It was in no way pandemic as it is often portrayed. I don’t watch rated R movies, but I don’t have to watch a movie about AIDS to understand what it was like in the 80’s for a country trying to understand what was happening. There are plenty of other sources of information out there. I would encourage you not to be so harsh in your comments
yeah, AIDS really wasn’t so bad. Just the #1 cause of death of young people, no biggie. Just made the gay community that much more outcast from mainstream society. No biggie.
I won’t call you an uneducated moron. I will say, however, that your comment regarding AIDS is uneducated and comes off as moronic.
Hitler also praised God … anyone care to defend him for his actions? No, Matthew isn’t Hitler, but he’s not a follower of Christ. I am troubled by both those who think that Matthew’s production and performance in a movie such as this is “okay” because he was just acting and those who strike a hateful and unChrist-like reproach of those who are okay with this. How many of you would take on a role that had you using God’s name in vain … having sex with two women … or using the f-word more than 100 times? How many of you think that Christ would be associated with any of that? How many fo you think that Christ would follow your lead in your mean-spirited and denigrating comments to those you disagree with? Holy Spirt thou art welcome in this place – not. Shameful.
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2006/08/23/list-of-hitler-quotes-he-was-q/
Hitler did not praise God. Matter of fact the Nazis were working on getting rid of Christianity and establishing basically the old Germanic Gods. Seems to me you forget the most basic command of Christianity: Do onto your neighbor as you want done onto you. If you lived that you wouldn’t put ppl because the have a different view of Christianity then you do.
unto. Onto, does change the read in an interesting way, but in the original {king james ;)} it is unto.
Not a follower of Christ? So then I take it that you know him personally and you have some inside information that the rest of us are missing. Or, could it be that you are judging him by his past, a thing that I sadly have found that Christians are so wonderful.
Personally I do not know him, so to make a judgment call on this man’s faith is not mine, nor yours, but it is G-ds. I remember one time hearing a minister telling that if Christians today had their way the thief on the cross next to Christ would never had made it into heaven. Do you know why? Because by your statement I see that you are so filled with yourself and your own righteousness that you fail to see it in others.
All I know is the man was playing a part, one that you obviously did not approve of. Was the language good, of course it was not, and in typical Hollywood manner, they took more time to push the gay agenda on everyone. But there are people I know that go into the inner cities, they work with the ones in society that you and other Christians would find beneath them.
In closing, we are told that we are part of a vast army of Christ. I was in the military when I was younger, and the one thing that always left me assured was that no matter what, I knew that if I was injured, shot, or whatever, I knew that my fellow soldiers would do whatever they could to get me to safety. Today, in this army of Christ, Christians think they are too good to into the inner cities, so if someone falls, well, they are on their own. Sadly, the army of Christ today does have something that makes it different from the worldly armies, they are the only army that goes back to kill their dead.
This is such a great point and such a honest reply to this topic. Thank you for your service too!
It is not up to you to say is a follower of Christ and who isn’t. They know in their own heart. No Christian is perfect. We all sin. Leave the guy alone. His speech was amazing.
I don’t really know the answer to this. So, I won’t take a side. But, I do know that in the bible it tells us that “By his fruits you will know him.” Are the actions of this actor fruitful? Still, I guess that depends on your point of view.
AMEN sister!!!!! AMEN!
I don’t think he actually had sex with two woman at once. I think he portrayed having sex with two woman at once. The movie is intended to tell a story. It is called “fiction.” Does the bible not tell stories of sin as well, or am I mistaken?
“Shameful” you write…”(Mathew McConaughey) is not a Christian”…oh really, look at you judging. I thought Christ was the only one who can judge. You must not be Christian?
OK, he gave thanks to God, and mentioned gifts in his life that could not be from any human hand. He believes in God. His relationship with God is his personal relationship. Do not judge someone until you have walked in their shoes. He didn’t proclaim that he was a Christian, He gave thanks to God. Maybe he is struggling with views on religious beliefs and that is , my friend, someone who is in need of prayer. Pray for those who seeking, struggling, even hungering for the fulfilling joy of knowing God. With all the political correctness upon us today, I find it refreshing that someone who is in the public can give thanks so openly. I know there are also others in the same position who also give thanks up to God and are practicing Christians. But the bible tells us to not hinder someone. So do not judge and rip apart this man, pray for him and your selves. God Bless!!!
Out of all these negative and positive reply’s, I agree with yours the most. Maybe he is struggling, even hungering for a relationship with God, who knows. He does have young children now, and that can always change one’s perspective. I know it changed mine. We should pray for him, and ourselves that we may both find peace and wisdom.
Saying that a movie that glorifies fornication and uses God’s name in vain is wrong is “ripping” someone apart? What a butter-soft Christian you are! Though perhaps your spiritual gift is mercy so you see it from a different angle. My spiritual gift is prophecy and things are so black and white to me. God’s Word is clear on issues of morality. I guess you would condemn Christ for over-turning the money changer’s tables as well since Christ was obviously “hindering”. Guess what? Going along with the flow is condemned in the Bible. The reason our country is so immoral today is pitty-pat Christians who are afraid to take a stand and don’t want to be accused of “judging” so they stay silent and pretend this downward spiral into hell is quite okay. Galations 1:10–read it.
I don’t see this whole post as condemning Matthew as much as condemning “Christians” who applaud simply mentioning God while ignoring the immoral messages his movies send.
The truth is that MM did not give thanks to nor glorify Christ. We do not know (at least from his speech) whether or not he professes to be a Christian. Yes, we can know a false teacher from their fruits. However, we (the church) are only to judge (correct the behavior of) professed believers (1 Corinthians 5; Galatians 6:1-3). We do not judge the world – those who do not profess Christ (also 1 Corinthians 5). Where in the Scriptures do we see Jesus or the Apostles speaking out against the sin of unbelievers? Yes, Jesus condemned the money changers ‘in the temple.’ He rebuked the Pharisees – who were teachers of the law. On the contrary, however, he ‘ate with tax collectors and sinners.’ (i.e., unbelievers) Unbelievers’ sin is always and only pointed out in the Scriptures for the purpose of repentance (as is also usually the case of believers, as well, btw), never condemnation. The opposite will be true at the final judgment – when all unbelievers will be condemned and believers will be acquitted.
ever hear of righteous judgement? she wasn’t standing in his face saying it but was simply stating it on her own blog…..if you dont like it then dont read it.
I disagree that we should be looking up towards our quiet sacrificial grandmothers. God does not call Christians to live a quiet reserved life. He wants us to proclaim and shout from the rooftops about his mercy, love and salvation. What are you if you just quietly take God’s gift and not spread it around. Yes, the actions of character Mathew portrays are sinful, but who are we to call out. We should be joyful that he has used such a public platform to give his praises to The Lord. We have no certainty on where he is with his relationship with Christ, but what matters is that he is taking the time to give his praises to God and thanking him for his blessings. None of us started out as perfect Christians and none of us will ever achieve that status, but does that mean we can’t share with others our thanks and praises to God? Do we have to be a certain level of Christian to do so? It’s the idea that we think we are better than that Christian or that person that makes us at fault. Paul teaches in Phillipians that we are to think of every one as better than ourselves. You don’t have to condone Matthews movies or even his actions, but we shouldn’t be bashing him or thinking he’s not a ‘good enough’ Christian for people to appreciate.
“We should be joyful that he has used such a public platform to give his praises to The Lord.”
Just to clarify, he didn’t give praises to The Lord. He thanked God. Do you know which God he thanked? Because there is a difference.
People shouldn’t be so easily swayed/influenced by anyone that just says, God.
I agree!
ummmmmmm okie dokie
I am totally astonished that Christians find fault with this article. God has already judged sin and given us His judgement in His Word, the Bible. We have only to read it and proclaim it. In Matthew 5 God tells us to let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven. As we live our life, we are to glorify God at home, at work, in recreation, in leisure, in every aspect of our life. Are we perfect? No, but we should be striving for that. I heard someone once say, “Our talk talks, and our walk talks; but our walk talks louder than our talk talks.” It’s not what we say with our mouth, but what we live with our life.
I also am astonished!!!!! We all need to spend more time in God’s Word and it would be much clearer to us all!! There is only ONE opinion that matters and His Ways are much higher than our ways. We need to conform to His Will and live as He would have us live.
amen!
The point made in this blog was valid. It’s NOT what people say its what they do that makes them christian. Character not words. Actions not 4 minute speeches. We have become a society or low character and low morals PERIOD. Read the decline of the Roman Empire a book written in 1786. Warning : We are in the decline in America due to abundance and Poverty of soul and not knowing the difference between Christian and people who just say they are Christian.
can you imagine what ppl would be saying if Jesus himself was here and played an “acting role” like that???? we would have nothing to HOPE for then would we??
🙂
After reading all of this, all I could do was pray. Pray for Matthew and all the other so-called celebrities. Pray for the author of this blog and all it’s readers. As well as pray for myself. May we all come to know, accept and worship the true living God, Jesus Christ. May we all live a life of worship that is pleasing to The Lord.
Dallas Buyer’s Club is filth? Did you even watch the movie? Maybe you missed the point of it. When you’re telling a character story it helps to be real and not pull any punches. If all you can see from the movie is that he said “goddamn” then you’re missing out on a film with a truly good message and story.
the people who rate movies even said that it was the movie with the most nudity and fbombs and taking Gods name in vain that they had ever seen……Its their job to do that so are you gonna judge them too?
Ummm, PluggedIn Online, who Melissa cited as her bellwether when it comes to Hoolywood and film, said that there were a lot more “fbombs” in Lone Survivor. And yet they encourage Christians to see it. As does Melissa, by her endorsement of the rightness of their reviews and recommendations.
This was an amazing movie. Yes, it was full of explicit sex and kinds of sex that most Christians don’t outwardly condone. However, it was also a raw film. A look at people who were in dire times and fighting for their lives, literally. Drug companies were in it for profit, government didn’t seem to care about this “class” of person and people were dying. It was a huge crisis in our nation. People died. Many people. People around the world are STILL dying from AIDS. Many people. If you watch it, look past the sex and the things that make you uncomfortable, see the PEOPLE. See the hurting, scared, dying PEOPLE. See the people who genuinely love one another in the midst of all of this. And dare to love them. THEN you will see God all over the movie.
Thank you, Stephanie, for taking the high road and seeing beyond to the redeeming value of a message directed to an audience that may not come to “our church” to hear our message. If only God knows what is in the heart, then we should keep silent regarding what we do not know and speak only the things we do know.
Amen, Stephanie. When I work with local groups to feed the homeless on the streets of DC, I don’t ask them what they did to get so low. I don’t judge them. How they got where they are doesn’t determine my duty toward them. I just see hungry, hurting people that Christ calls me to love and care for. Period. I would hope my response to people like those in this film (or to the “sinful” actors who play them) would be the same.
You said it so well! Our hero is Jesus! He is the example we all should try to emulate!
Did he apply to be your hero? I think you’re a tad bitter to be judging someone else. Couple that with your religious brainwashing and you become dangerous. It is possible for one to believe in God (and Jesus) without the benefit of a book which was written and compiled by man. You are proof that their thirst for control over you works.
Thank you for expressing exactly what I was thinking. I’m guessing if it was up to our peers to judge who was worthy of speaking about God, many of us wouldn’t make the cut. It pleases me that the God I have learned about embraces faith from all of us.
Jesus is my hero!!
Matthew McConaughey is NOT my hero, not even close, I don’t even really like him that much as an actor (I mean, he’s no Denzel!!) But I sure didn’t hear anybody else say anything even remotely about God… Now, does that make me think that Matthew is “living his life for God”? Absolutely, not…. But if Christians mock him or write scathing, sarcastic blog posts about him, what does that make Christians look like…NOT like followers of Christ and that is for darn sure!!! The Physician did NOT come to heal the healthy…He came to seek and heal the SICK!! Christians should STRIVE to be known for what they are FOR and not for what they are AGAINST!!
I am not pleased by this blog post bc it couldn’t be ANY MORE un-Christ-like…..
that is so untrue…….she has a right to say what she wants…..you have a right to beleive and say what you want so how is she wrong and everyone else is right????
Matthew McConaughey is a joke. I used to like him. He is a self-centered narcissist, blasphemous hypocrite. He IS NOT the epitome of a Christian. Obviously, he is not aware of how a Christian should act and speak. I will be praying for him.
Good for you. I hope your self-righteous piety is good enough for God’s standard of behavior. Then you won’t need Jesus, or love or grace. You’re doing it all on your own. Pharisee.
haha the hypocrisy of your statement that labels him as a hypocrite is truly astonishing! Keep judging and telling us how we should “act and speak” (that’s your job, not the bible’s, right?!)…and ya’ll call yourselves Christians…mmm hmm.
Is David McCoy married and does he have children?
Woo!! Yes. Great truth!
I have to admit that I had the same initial reaction, and it’s the same feeling I get when I watch the Grammy awards. A music star gyrates half naked on stage for fifteen minutes, or sings or raps lyrics that promote violence toward women, then steps up to the microphone and thanks God for the fact that they were given an honor for it by others who do the same thing.
HOWEVER… Lately I’ve been trying to be less critical. It’s not that I think we should embrace the bad behavior or even stop criticizing it. It’s just that when I look at my life, I know there are others more “righteous” than me, who could easily call me a hypocrite. I enjoy a good glass of wine, I don’t attend church services on Sunday night, and I occasionally let a curse word escape my lips. There are many that would accuse me of living an immoral lifestyle and promoting sinful behavior. Do I have the right to publicly acknowledge God or thank him for a blessing in my life?
We all live our lives somewhere along the continuum of good and evil. Most of us consider our position on this line to be the perfect spot, and tend to consider those on both sides of us wrong, or worse than that, hypocrites. I’m trying to do less of that these days. I’ll criticize bad behavior, but I’m very careful about denying someone the right to express their appreciation to God.
Ben- be careful of the slippery slope. Make sure you aren’t comparing yourself to others “more righteous” than you. We as humans aren’t the standard in which to live by. Only Christ and those he gave that authority to (his apostles) should be that. It is human nature to compare ourselves to others but sometimes it gives a false sense of security. It is like making multiple copies of a copy- it just gets more distorted. We should be striving to be like the original, Christ. We can’t be perfect but we should be striving toward righteousness.
Wow, I am totally shocked at all the negative comments about this blog. I myself was very perplexed by the attention McConaughey received from his speech both the negative and the positive. So big deal, he thanked and talked about God a little…so do musicians at the Grammys and professional athletes. Thanking God at a microphone proves nothing about the condition of your heart. All the author is pointing out is that people are more than the sum of one speech and that in observing Mr. McConaughey’s chosen profession and body of work there is an unsettling disconnect. I don’t believe the author was judging McConaughey. No one other than God can truly judge what is in his heart.
I agree 100%!!!!!!
No matter where Matthew is in his faith, I wouldn’t want to walk in his shoes. Being a Christian in the Hollywood world is a tough act in itself. ANY witness is a breath of fresh air. I found this article also very helpful: http://www.martyduren.com/2014/03/05/maybe-christians-should-cut-matthew-mcconaughey-some-slack/
There’s nothing wrong with thanking God for a blessing that comes your way. And if God wants to direct Matthew to other types of films, that’s between him and Him.
Amen!
Alleluia!!! I was thinking the same very thing while he was speaking. Thanks for putting your thoughts in words.
You sound like a sound and strong Christian, so I’m sure you know in your heart and by the Spirit of God, that you said nothing wrong but I want to be an encouragement to you among the backlash you are receiving. You said absolutely nothing wrong.
I was thinking the same thing…..glad someone could put into words that I couldn’t
Just can’t believe that other “believers” ate attacking her for this blog. Especially when it’s the truth.
Spot.on. …..keep on writing and looking to God for the answers….He’s using you as a beacon right now…follow His lead..:) xoxo
Matthew surely does not need to be your “hero” but you realize he is an actor right? He also gives back a lot to charity and runs his own organization “just keep smiling”. This had to be one of the craziest articles I’ve ever replied on.
So basically you refuse to acknowledge those commended in Hebrews 11 for their faith because of their lifestyle and previous actions? Because as you know, Matthew was acting. Many on that list were actual murders, thieves, adulterers, etc… Wow.
I have to respectfully disagree with this write. If you really look into the movies, Dallas Buyers Club and Magic Mike, although they paint a gritty picture, they also paint a very real picture of humanity, love, understanding and the repercussions of living an immoral life. Remember Jesus did not hang out with saved people in churches that can often times be out of touch with the world, he hung out with the filth, the outcasts, the sinners, the destitute, the immoral, the lost, preaching salvation and truth so they may be saved. I believe Matthew’s comments about God at the Oscars planted seeds of faith in people that perhaps otherwise would not give an ear to a self righteous church goer or preacher or a thought about God. Jesus sends his people out into all avenues of life. We are all sinners. We can’t be so quick to judge someone’s path and be so judgemental as to actually count the number of curse words in a film? I say watch these movies and see what the real message is, dont judge on appearance, they dont glamorize immorality, they both show the harsh outcomes of living an immoral life. Matthew has professed his faith many times in the media and for that, I as a follower of Jesus Christ think he is quite “alright, alright, alright”.
When is the last time you hung out with such people sir that were not on a movie screen?
Read 1st Corinthians 1. The gospel is SUPPOSED to be foolish to them that are perishing. The church’s job is to faithfully preach the word and God will save who He will. Nudity and onscreen sex are sinful to produce and sinful to consume in every case. Additionally, we are NOwhere, either by command or precedent, told to learn life’s lessons from the world. To say nothing of a reprehensible decaying decomposing filth factory like Hollywood that openly celebrates everything God Hates.
It and the entire entertainment media juggernaut are enemies of the God of the bible and His kingdom. There is no excuse EVER for any Christian to either help produce OR pay to participate in a product wherein sin was required for it’s existence. This is the case in 99.5% of all Movies.
They are not objects of Christian liberty. They do not teach great lessons that God has for His church. They are not neutral innocuous entertainment. They are an abomination and stench in the nostrils of a holy God whose character and covenants are blasphemed by them.
This has nothing to do with my opinion. I’m just the messenger. Christianity is revealed in the 66 books of the ancient Christian scriptures. The principles I am applying here are what was always understood to be godly biblical standards until the 1960’s when the “church” began dating the world in earnest. Now they’re fully in bed together and the torrid slobbering love affair with godlessness is what we see from people in these comments.
Satan then safeguards his lies by convincing biblically illiterate worldlings that anybody who dare preach the truth as it is in Christ is the one with the problem. “Judge not” they chant. The mantra from hell.
Right there in that same context of Matthew 7 we find Jesus chilling words:
.” 13“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Most folks who think they are Christians are not. Never have been never will be. You can tell who they are according to the apostle John becasue they practice righteousness, love the brethren and the world hates them where it really counts. Like here. Not only CAN we judge (not final destiny), but are commanded to do so. It is sin not to. Of course that only matters for people who know more about their bible than they do about these abhorrent movies.
I do not need to crawl around in a sewer to know it’s filthy and rotting inside. I can smell it from all the way over here in the safety of my beloved savior’s arms. Neither must I subject my spirit to the refuse of Hollywood to faithfully engage my culture. In fact it’s just the opposite. I cannot be used of the Lord to pull anybody out of that sewage infested water while I’m in there with them.
Believe what you want. But leave the spotlessly holy living Word of God out of it unless it comes from His written word.
http://tiribulus.net/judge.html
I think this says it all!!!!! amen and hallelujah! we are suppose to stand out among things like what was in that movie not go into a room and watch it and then come out and talk about GOD like we didn’t just sit through 2 hrs of sex drugs and bad langauage
This says it all. Christians are compromising left and right nowadays. The meaning of the moniker has become so unrecognizable because of the garbage that has crept into the Church.
BTW, I read and posted on my FB page what you wrote here about judgement. Nailed it.
Jesus should be enough for us. He doesn’t need a covert agent in Hollywood to work out salvation in the hearts of those people, and he certainly doesn’t need Matthew McConaughey to save Hollywood bigwigs. All that is necessary for salvation has been accomplished in the finished work of Christ.
Also, I don’t buy the argument that an actor who proclaims to be a Christian can commit sin because he was playing another person. That simply does not hold, unless you hold to a murky definition of personhood. I don’t care who he is portraying in the movie; he, Matthew McConaughey, is still committing sin.
I also find it morally reprehensible that the Christian right latches on to something like this every time it happens. We did the same thing recently with Gene Simmons when he publicly defended Tim Tebow on Fox News. Nevermind the fact that his nickname in KISS was “The Demon”. He is not our hero. Tim Tebow is not the hero in the story. Christ is the hero. He defeated sin and death and reconciled us to God. No one, not even Tim Tebow, Gene Simmons, or Matthew McConaughey, did that. We need not celebrate these people for their “achievements”. Jesus won. End of story.
Your comments are right on sir. Nobody who flagrantly and unrepentantly and in fact celebrates their sin on a public forum has the biblical testimony to be considered of the household of faith. I don’t need to know him personally. I don’t need to see the debauched and immoral movies he sins in producing.
I am given biblical standards. They are applied to myself first and then to others who come to my attention as claiming Christ. I’ll link this yet again. http://tiribulus.net/judge.html
Sounds like you watched the whole thing plus the other movies also! Watch out for stones.
I wasn’t going to comment on this because at first I thought… What is the point… Everyone is going to have their own opinions of someone else… After all it’s always been this way… But then I thought well why not just give them a little bit of my own! This opinion goes to the author of this “blog”! I am a Christian! I love my God and I follow him willingly! But I do not presume to think that I am perfect! And I’m sorry honey but neither are you! You are sitting behind a computer in the safety of your home passing judgment on others… What about that screams Christian?!?! ( and before you come back at me saying that I am passing judgement on you just know that I know I am but as I have said I am not perfect!!) now about this movie that has just offended you somehow… How do you know how many f words are in it? Have you seen it? And if so then why is it okay for you to watch it but not for him to be cast in it? He is an actor… He just reads the words someone else writes for him! I have seen Christian films where an actor is told to say horrible things and some of those things about God (to serve a purpose) but nonetheless they do say things that in your eyes would make them unchristian! Have you never said a cuss word ever?!?! I know I have! So why don’t we try a little more compassion…. A little more sweeping of our own doorsteps before we spread ugly things on the Internet….
Oh and I just have one more thing to shed a little light on… No one knows who has given their hearts to Jesus except for that person themselves and Jesus! You would never want someone out their to call your faith into question so don’t do it to someone else!
Exactly! It’s acting, to tell a story…time for Christians to put on their big boys and girls pants and open their eyes beyond Disney and Facebook and whatever else idle time they are putzing away at….
Melissa’s point is not to point out whether or not MM is a Christian. Her point is to point out that Christians are taking an ambiguous statement of a god about a vulgar film and saying it’s good.
Have you seen the film? How do you know it’s vulgar?
David, because the reviews, including the one Melissa posted above state clearly how vulgar it is. Perhaps our standard for measure is different? Mine is the Bible.
I don’t think that this post was trying to bash Matthew McConaughey..I felt like she was just addressing the fact that so many Christians are praising him for something so small. I don’t feel like she is saying that Matthew McConaughey can’t thank God, in fact, I would not even say this post is addressed to him but rather to the Christians that are placing so much importance on fame that they are giving praise for someone doing something that some people do on a daily basis: thank God.
Pharisee.
Jesus said “You know a tree by its fruit. A bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree bears good fruit.”
Our definition of “good fruit” is very different than God’s. Making movies like Magic Mike, Dallas Buyer’s Club aren’t good fruits. They are compromise and the use of “god” to justify a the means to an end. God’s greatest good for Matthew isn’t to win an oscar or be popular but to be saved and then sanctified. I don’t think winning an oscar or giving a speech qualify as sanctification.
Maybe you should read this…http://youngcons.com/oscar-winner-matthew-mcconaughey-reading-lee-strobels-case-for-christ-while-working-out/
Obviously, you haven’t seen the movie. Yes, his character participates in raunchy acts and commits serious sins (don’t we all?) But just because we are believers does not mean that we are to avoid all instances that are indecent or inappropriate. How are we supposed to love this world like Jesus did if we don’t look at what is going on in it? How are we supposed to try to understand people if we are too disgusted to see how they live their lives? That is not what following Jesus is about. It’s about being able to accept the things that are wrong in the world and choosing to be proactive in changing it (with LOVE not judgement). Throughout the movie you watch his character transform from a homophobic, sex-obsessed, judgmental bigot into a man that is willing to sacrifice everything that he has to help people that he would have once spit on. (Hello, isn’t the exact definition of what we are supposed to be as believers?? Disgusting, selfish creatures that allow Christ to change us and have a desire to show that same grace and love to others, even if we don’t understand them.) I’m not saying Matthew is my hero, but anyone who can look at someone and accept them as another lost sheep trying to find our Shepard instead of just looking at their sins is good in my book. This article (and attitudes like it) with harsh judgment of others is what is turning people away from Christianity when really, it isn’t what Jesus intended for Christianity at all.
Melissa, you sound like a spoiled brat, not a true Christian at all. How do you think Matthew McConaughey makes a living? It’s certainly not by writing warm, pablumized, non-paying blogs that criticize hard-working people who are good at their craft. He is paid to appear in some gritty movies because his acting style fits the mode. Have you seen “True Detective” on HBO? You certainly would disapprove of that also. If you don’t like certain movies, don’t go see them. I can assure you that some actors who you do watch, if you knew their true character, would be detestable to you. His character is not the man, or is it? You seem to be all knowing and all judging so you tell us. Is he a godless man because of his roles, or one who acknowledges God? Someone judged him harshly because he didn’t mention Christ. Egads folks, what do you want, the whole enchilada. Would it have only been acceptable if he had read scripture for four minutes? I consider myself a Christian, but you whiners are just the type that make agnostics, atheists and middle-of-the-road seekers attack your hard line criticisms and non-acceptance of others. And for once, I’m on their side. This blog is not a unifying work, it’s a freaking atrocity. You really should examine your own values Melissa. Methinks you’re covering up something sordid in your past that you’ve buried under the woodpile. Guess what? Your words are those emanating from putrefaction. All this posturing stinks to high heaven. (Pun intended) Thou does protest way too much. I question your own faith, your intelligence and your credibility. In my opinion, all factors are quite shallow.
“I question your own faith, your intelligence and your credibility. In my opinion, all factors are quite shallow.” You are doing the same thing you accuse her of.
Someone needs to grow up here. If we are to judge Matthew McConaughey on the base content of his work, we are doing the work itself a disservice. Yes, there were some things in Magic Mike that were objectionable, but the film went to great lengths not to romanticize this life, to make it appear seedy, ugly, unseemly, and unpleasant. We can wring our hands over a man in bed with two women, but we must ask ourselves from an aesthetic standpoint … is the film glamorizing that, making it seem cool, or is it pushing our nose into it like a dog’s nose into its own vomit? I didn’t particularly care for Magic Mike as a film, but I don’t think it was narratively structured to lead Christians down a particular path.
As for Dallas Buyers Club, I take some objection to calling this film filth. This film does not glamorize the heterosexual lifestyle, nor does it romanticize Ron Woodroof’s lifestyle that resulted in the contraction of AIDS. Rather, it addressed the reality of this disease, which contrary to popular belief is not God’s punishment to homosexuals (it originates in the blood of primates and was probably first contracted by someone killing and butchering monkeys and exotic apes for the bushmeat trade). The film was about a wayward, wandering man who is stricken with a horrible illness, is hungry to survive, and ultimately looks for ways to reach out and help others suffering from the disease. Not one second of this film made Woodroof’s wayward lifestyle seem cool, nor did it celebrate homosexuals. Rather, it simply accepted all people in the film based on content of character and human merits … which is why the drug companies come off so bad.
I don’t think anyone is making Matthew McConaughey the next champion of Christianity. I think we are rather thrilled that an actor in Hollywood, in an industry that asks the rest of us to be “tolerant” of all religions yet loves to mock our own faith at every turn, has the guts to say, “I believe in God, and I thank him.” This is an industry where atheism is celebrated as innovative and new, where people like Kathy Griffin accept awards saying “I don’t thank God because there is no God so how can God have anything to do with this?”
McConaughey is an artist. The problem with art is, people bring their own world view to it and let that world view shape their response to it. Too many Christians have embraced a myopic viewpoint, refusing to dance on the firing line of life. The faith is slowly losing its voice of reason, and no, “reason” is not a dirty word for Christians as some atheists would have you believe.
As someone else already made the challenge: Would Jesus take on this role of Ron Woodruff and perform in the film exactly as MM did?
And his comment, “…not staying long at the party . . . going home to make another baby . . .”
Not any of our business and do not want to know!
Maybe you should watch the movie before you pass judgement on it. It’s not praising him for having unprotected sex. He has unprotected sex and acquires AIDs. The movie is about educating yourself and not judging others. Which is what you should do as a Christian, right? Not judge others. Isn’t that God’s job?
I agree with her. I have three boys, and let me say this.. I do not want an actor like Matthew M. as their role model. I do not even want them watching the movies he makes. I dont care if they are about aids or a fluffy kitten.. if there is unGodly things in them I dont want them to watch them. I do not want my children to idolize ANYone.. actor or president who thinks they can live that life on the movie screen or behind closed doors and expect to be in God’s will in the real world. It just dont happen!
When I get recognized for thanking God, I want it to be something God would be proud of me for doing.
Get off this lady’s back. If you want to praise a man, go praise him on his fan page.
🙂
Well, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve left comments on blogs. Reading all the ill spewed toward you moves me to do so today though.
THANK YOU for being a discerning Christian (likely born again, not just the protestant title?). This is what I teach my children and follow myself. People can say what they want, the Bible says that the spiritual man judges all things. We can, and are required every day, to make judgments (discernment) on everything around us based on a variety of evidence. I can tell which movie store I can (mostly) safely go into to rent movies for my children based on the signs outside the store. If the signs say, “Adult”, or “XXX”, I’m not going to tell my children that it’s possible we could find something good for them in there and that we shouldn’t make a judgement based on the evidence. I will not tell them there’s even a chance something good is in there. This does not mean I can see the hearts of people or will ever claim to, it just means we can and should be discerning.
Anyway, thank you for saying what I always think when these things come up. Rock and pop stars are very popular for writing and thanking God in their albums or lives. Judgment, folks. It’s essential for those born again.
Love this! Well said!
He is an actor portraying a man who was a degenerate. This degenerate, as a result of his illness, began to to change his character and his life; and actually began to care for his fellow man. You are fortunate if you have not glimpsed some of the uglier parts of human existence. The movie showed the ugliness of the AIDS plague, and served as a reminder of the fact that it still exists. I assume that when people win an award of this magnitude, nerves get in the way during an acceptance speech. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
Ok so I assume you don’t understand the concept of an actor. They play different roles in movies and has absolutely no connection to their real lives. As an actor yeah he played some pretty messed up roles……as an actor! He gave credit to god for being so successful and for everything he has acomplished. How hard is that to understand? You are ranting about him like he is being some sort of hypocrite or a two face. He thanked god because he meant it and because he knew that he would not be successful without him.
Hi there, I am really impressed with this article in your blog. I share your sentiments. Thank you. I makes my heart happy to read that others like myself have not yet crossed the line of making filth ok. And for those that think acting is just pretending…….In order to act a sex scene…..the actor must first get naked and lie with other naked people, in front of others. Regardless of cameras and people. once again Thank you for your blog
Thank you, thank you, thank you…for the opportunity to say there is such an evil plan for all this hype. Christians are condoning sins of all sorts, big and small. Then we praise Matthew McConaughey’s mention of God and are thrilled about this….thereby thrilled about and condoning the character in his movie. We have lost all convictions about obeying God and following his commands. We focus on God’s love but we have no respect or reverence for his laws. I am against condemnation; but, we are so tolerant in our present culture that we’ve lost the courage to say “God does love you, but this is not the way he would have you to live” Whether that be a jealousy, lying, adultery,homosexuality, murder or hate. There is an approach that’s not tarnished with hate, and that’s to say….Because i care about you, this is not the life God designed for you.
jrm43231: “You are truly stupid, aren’t you?
Well thank you so very much for this incredibly substantive and penetrating observation. All my life I have been languishing in the despair of dullardry, hoping against hope that the Lord my God would send His mighty prophet to add to me what was sorely lacking. OHHH let the jubilee arise, that day has arrived !!!! Your towering profundity is a force for good in the world. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. 😀
i have been glancing at your posts. why are you so filled with hatred?! do you think you are in any way like jesus when you spit hatred at others. you dont resemble jesus in any way what so ever, i feel pity for you. you barbs are only hurting you, no one else. why dont you try to actually be like jesus and respond in love
Your notions of what Jesus is/was like are not biblical. Tust me. I have never called anyone stupid and never would. I do not need your your pity either. Rather than talk about how hateful I am according to your modern Americanized standards, why don’t you address the actual substance of something I’ve said. Seriously. I’d be happy to talk. If I’m in error, then show me. I WILL accept correction from ANYone ANYwhere and I will admit if I’m wrong. Will you?
This topic is sucking the life out of me. Everytime I look at my email there is another post about this. I really think every view has been pointed out and discussed and rediscussed and then again discussed. I’m afraid it may have taken over this blog for life therefore I will respectfully un-follow. I wish you all a happy and Matthew free life.
A tree is known by its’ fruit. You know a lemon tree because it has lemons growing from it; an orange tree produces, you guessed it, oranges. A follower of YHWH/God produces the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.-Galatians 5:22-23…
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” -Galatians 5:19-21
Whose fruit are YOU bearing? Don’t make this about what he, she, or they did, but about how your own relationship with YHWH and His Son, our Messiah Yeshua can be strengthened. Not a single one of these readers/commenters are able to account for me and my doings, nor can I account for yours. I can, however, look upon the fruit produced and see for myself the tree it grows from.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.-Galatians 5:25-26
I certainly cannot judge Matthew’s heart as I don’t know him. Let me say, even if I did know him, I would have no business judging him. That is not my place. But I would say to him, maybe he should think about choosing his roles a little more carefully if he is a Christian.
This is how you represent your Christian community? Someone does great things and is rewarded for it, you put them on a pedistule because he thanked “god” for the talent he is given and then you have the audacity to condemn him because of the content in the movie? You must be kidding.
Who are you to sit here and pass judgement on ANYONE? You sit here and berate someone just because of what they did in a movie? Well, let me ask you something, what have you done that is so great in your life that gives you the right to judge anyone? Now, if your even going to try to compare this actor with your Christian idealogic, well then he should be fine, because Christians hold prostitutes, alcoholics, murderers, and massive sinners as prophets. But doesn’t it say, a sin is a sin so matter how severe it is. So, it lamen terms you telling a lie is just as bad as someone saying the F-word.
Also, I can garuntee you, that no Christian lives exactly how the bible states. Because if you did, every male Christian would have a beard, you would only have sex to pro create and not for enjoyment, as well as, you would be selling you daughters into slavery.
Unfortuantly, most, not all, Christians seem to think they are better than anyone else and are allowed to judge them, yet they themselves wish to only live certain aspects of te bible and Christian only when it’s convienent to them.
Now, on that note. Since you are sitting here saying Matthew McConaughey isn’t a good Christian because of his roles in his movies just shows you are judging him, so therefor, you yourself are sinning at the same exact time.
You must be a great representative of the Christian community and faith.
i dont really have a great comeback for you. just wanted to add that there is no discussion here. you are his judge and jury. but correct me if i am wrong, isn’t that for God only to do. no one asked you to make him your hero. get over yourself, if this is what you blog about then you are not any’s hero either. and please leave out the nasty comebacks you ignorant christians come up with. again i say, no one asked you to make him your hero.